The cricket community is split over India’s choice not to accept England’s offer to end the 4th Test in Manchester early, when a draw seemed likely. Some support India for playing by the rules, while others criticize England for complaining and trying to dictate terms.
Dale Steyn seems to side with England. He suggests that since Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar were playing for a draw, the gentlemanly thing would have been to accept Ben Stokes’ handshake offer to end the game after they’d made sure a draw was the only possible outcome.
Stokes offered Jadeja a handshake in the final hour of the fifth day, but it was refused, leaving the England players puzzled. Both players then scored their hundreds before the Test ended.
Tabraiz Shamsi supports India’s right to refuse the offer. He posted on X, questioning why there’s so much fuss about India’s choice, pointing out they earned their hundreds and were entitled to make that decision.
Steyn responded to Shamsi’s post, saying it’s complicated and someone will always be unhappy. He thinks India should have accepted the draw once they’d secured it.
Steyn wrote that the batters weren’t aiming for hundreds, but for a draw. Once that was achieved and a result was impossible, a handshake was offered, which he sees as the appropriate thing to do. He finds it strange that they then refused, seemingly wanting free milestones. He added, while it’s within the rules, it seems odd and they should have been more aggressive in pursuing the milestones earlier.